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Wildfire safety outages

Outages to keep our towns safe from wildfires

Get help before and during a wildfire safety outage.

Explore outage resources

Wildfire outages

There are two types of wildfire safety outages.

Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

Severe weather can cause trees and debris to fall onto powerlines. This could create a spark and cause a wildfire. To prevent a wildfire, we may need to turn off power during dry, windy weather. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). 

 

Find out more about when and how we use PSPS to prevent wildfires.

 

Learn more about PSPS

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS)

To help protect you from wildfires, we use Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) in high fire-risk areas. EPSS turns off power automatically if a threat is detected. Because power turns off automatically for safety, an unplanned power outage may occur.

 

Learn more about our safety settings and how they protect you.

 

Get more information about EPSS

Making wildfire safety outages even more effective

 

We are continuing to evolve and improve to reduce the impacts of wildfire safety outages. This includes listening to our customers and offering more information and better support. We’re also taking steps to reduce the size, length and frequency of outages.

Minimizing the impact of PSPS

  • Refining how we target shutoffs

  • Using microgrids to help keep the power on

  • Offering better support options before, during and after a PSPS

  • Getting the power back on faster 

Reducing the need for EPSS

  • Adjusting the sensitivity of settings or turning off the settings when it is safe to do so

  • Installing new technology to quickly identify power outage locations

  • Improving our patrols to turn power back on faster

  • Trimming trees and installing animal guards to help prevent hazards

Using multiple layers of protection

  • Undergrounding 10,000 miles of powerlines

  • Installing stronger poles and covered lines for a safer system

  • Installing microgrids to keep the power on

  • Keeping trees and vegetation away from powerlines 

Outage resources

We know how difficult it is to be without power. That’s why we are working hard to reduce outages and support you if they happen.

Wildfire preparedness and support

Wildfires can happen at any time.

Learn how to prepare, get support and recover from wildfires

Outage decision-making

Our decision-making guide demonstrates how we assess wildfire risk. It also describes the advanced safety tools we use to prevent wildfires.

How we decide if an outage is needed for public safety (PDF)

Outages and restoration times

Get the latest updates on when power will be restored.

View/report outage

Get more information

All of our wildfire safety work and the latest improvements can be found in one place.

CWSP’s latest safety efforts

Related information

Safety

At PG&E, nothing is more important than safety.

Visit safety

Community Wildfire Safety Program (CWSP)

Find out how er are making our system safer and more reliable.

Visit CWSP

Rotating outages

When we all conserve, outages are preventable.

Visit rotating outages